Top End Explorer

Top End Explorer

from £1,209 excluding flights

  • 6 nights
  • Apr-Nov
01737 214 250
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australia northern territory kakadu national park nourlangie badlands istk

Top End Explorer

from £1,209 excluding flights

  • 6 nights
  • Apr-Nov

Customers rate Discover the World

Average score 4.8/5

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Highlights

In pictures
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Marvel at the aboriginal rock art in Kakadu National Park

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Explore 23 million year old Katherine Gorge

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Learn about the custodians of Arnhem Land on a guided tour

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Search for saltwater crocodiles on a Yellow Waters billabong cruise

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Wander around Darwin's museums, markets and beaches

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Discover immense termite mounds in Litchfield NP

Why this trip...

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Tailor made

This itinerary can be tailor made to suit you and is intended to give you a guideline of what is possible in a given timeframe

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Culture

Experience local culture and heritage as part of this holiday

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Activities included

This itinerary features a range of included activities

Overview

Explore wetlands and ancient geological wonders, encounter remarkable wildlife and learn about the fascinating culture of Australia's Top End on this week-long self drive itinerary. Head south from the tropical city of Darwin into the national parks of Australia’s Northern Territory.

Discover the spectacular waterfalls and immense termite mounds of Litchfield National Park, cruise through the mighty Katherine Gorge at Nitmiluk National Park and experience the remarkable flora and fauna of Kakadu National Park on a Yellow Waters billabong cruise.

A guided tour into one of Australia’s last untouched frontiers, Arnhem Land, will provide a fascinating insight into one of the world’s most ancient cultures, whilst time spent in laid-back Darwin offers the chance to uncover this remote city’s history as well as enjoy the famous sunset markets at Mindil Beach.

Itinerary

The itinerary shown is an example of this self-drive holiday. We have many other hotels and route recommendations which can be tailored to your requirements. Please discuss with our Travel Specialists who can put together a bespoke itinerary for you.

Day 1 Darwin

Spend the day at leisure in tropical Darwin. Wander along the tree lined esplanade and Bicentennial Park, relax at the waterfront precinct with its lagoon, wave pool and choice of restaurants, or visit the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory or the Darwin Military Museum. As the sun slips below the horizon you may wish to take an optional scenic cruise from Stokes Hill Wharf.

Spend the day at leisure in tropical Darwin. Wander along the tree lined esplanade and Bicentennial Park, relax at the waterfront precinct with its lagoon, wave pool and choice of restaurants, or visit the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory or the Darwin Military Museum. As the sun slips below the horizon you may wish to take an optional scenic cruise from Stokes Hill Wharf.

Day 2 Darwin - Litchfield National Park

Collect your hire car and drive south via Batchelor to Litchfield National Park. Covering 1500 square kilometres, Litchfield is known for its towering termite mounds and cascading waterfalls, with countless crystal clear swimming holes amid pockets of lush rainforest. Highlights include Wangi Falls, Florence Falls, the Lost City rock formations and the incredible magnetic termite mounds, which are thought to be up to 100 years old and reach 2 metres high. At the end of a full day exploring at leisure, make your way back to Batchelor for an overnight stay.

Collect your hire car and drive south via Batchelor to Litchfield National Park. Covering 1500 square kilometres, Litchfield is known for its towering termite mounds and cascading waterfalls, with countless crystal clear swimming holes amid pockets of lush rainforest. Highlights include Wangi Falls, Florence Falls, the Lost City rock formations and the incredible magnetic termite mounds, which are thought to be up to 100 years old and reach 2 metres high. At the end of a full day exploring at leisure, make your way back to Batchelor for an overnight stay.

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Day 3 Litchfield National Park - Nitmiluk National Park

Continue south to Nitmiluk National Park today, a region steeped in Aboriginal culture. You may wish to take a short detour to Edith Falls for a swim in the lagoon before continuing on to one of the Northern Territory’s most spectacular natural attractions, the mighty Katherine Gorge. Experience the region’s varied flora and fauna on a memorable gorge cruise, where you will also learn about the history and traditions of the region’s Indigenous inhabitants as you admire the ever-changing colours of the dramatic rock formed nearly 23 million years ago. Alternatively you can canoe through the gorges or take to the skies to witness this remarkable landscape from above on a scenic flight.

Continue south to Nitmiluk National Park today, a region steeped in Aboriginal culture. You may wish to take a short detour to Edith Falls for a swim in the lagoon before continuing on to one of the Northern Territory’s most spectacular natural attractions, the mighty Katherine Gorge. Experience the region’s varied flora and fauna on a memorable gorge cruise, where you will also learn about the history and traditions of the region’s Indigenous inhabitants as you admire the ever-changing colours of the dramatic rock formed nearly 23 million years ago. Alternatively you can canoe through the gorges or take to the skies to witness this remarkable landscape from above on a scenic flight.

Day 4 Nitmiluk National Park - Kakadu National Park

Head towards the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kakadu National Park, home to native Aboriginals for more than 50,000 years, passing through the small townships of Katherine and Pine Creek along the way. Covering almost 20,000 sq km, Kakadu National Park shelters a staggering array of habitats and wildlife and is home to a plethora of thriving floodplains, thundering waterfalls and dramatic escarpments. Experience the best the park has to offer on a remarkable Yellow Waters billabong cruise. Encounter saltwater crocodiles, buffalos and a huge array of birdlife as your local guide regales you with tales about the park’s diverse environment, history and its traditional Aboriginal owners. On the way to your 2-night accommodation in Jabiru, take a short detour to Nourlangie Rock Art Site and learn about the history of Aboriginal communities that lived in Kakadu from their awe-inspiring descriptive paintings

Head towards the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kakadu National Park, home to native Aboriginals for more than 50,000 years, passing through the small townships of Katherine and Pine Creek along the way. Covering almost 20,000 sq km, Kakadu National Park shelters a staggering array of habitats and wildlife and is home to a plethora of thriving floodplains, thundering waterfalls and dramatic escarpments. Experience the best the park has to offer on a remarkable Yellow Waters billabong cruise. Encounter saltwater crocodiles, buffalos and a huge array of birdlife as your local guide regales you with tales about the park’s diverse environment, history and its traditional Aboriginal owners. On the way to your 2-night accommodation in Jabiru, take a short detour to Nourlangie Rock Art Site and learn about the history of Aboriginal communities that lived in Kakadu from their awe-inspiring descriptive paintings

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Day 5 Kakadu - Arnhem Land - Kakadu

Enjoy an exhilarating 4WD day tour to one of Australia’s most untouched wilderness areas, Arnhem Land. Your Aboriginal guide will tell you the stories behind the ancient rock art, demonstrate traditional Aboriginal survival and hunting skills and enlighten you on the culture and history of the custodians of Arnhem Land, the Yolngu people. Throughout the tour you will witness some of Australia’s most epic landscapes from endless floodplains to immense escarpments, flourishing billabongs and abundant wildlife. Visitors to Arnhem Land are strictly limited in order to preserve the sanctity of the Aboriginals that live there, so this is a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Enjoy an exhilarating 4WD day tour to one of Australia’s most untouched wilderness areas, Arnhem Land. Your Aboriginal guide will tell you the stories behind the ancient rock art, demonstrate traditional Aboriginal survival and hunting skills and enlighten you on the culture and history of the custodians of Arnhem Land, the Yolngu people. Throughout the tour you will witness some of Australia’s most epic landscapes from endless floodplains to immense escarpments, flourishing billabongs and abundant wildlife. Visitors to Arnhem Land are strictly limited in order to preserve the sanctity of the Aboriginals that live there, so this is a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

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Day 6 Kakadu - Darwin

Travel back to Darwin for a final night stay in the city. Highly recommended are the bustling Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, a melting pot of cultures all socialising, eating and selling a variety of merchandise as the sun sinks into the Timor Sea.

Travel back to Darwin for a final night stay in the city. Highly recommended are the bustling Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, a melting pot of cultures all socialising, eating and selling a variety of merchandise as the sun sinks into the Timor Sea.

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Day 7 depart Darwin

This morning depart for your onwards journey.

This morning depart for your onwards journey.

Accommodation Options

We have selected accommodation comprising mid-range hotels and lodges specifically suited to this holiday, but we can adapt to suit your personal preference mixing different grades and styles.

Discuss your options with our Travel Specialists.

Excursions

Prices and Departures

Price from £1,209 excluding flights

Airfares start from around £730 per person and are quoted separately to the holiday price. When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.
Note: Airfares tend to be cheaper the earlier you book.

What's Included

  • Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
  • Breakfast, welcome drink & evening canapes at Cicada Lodge, Nitmiluk
  • Car rental throughout
  • Yellow Waters billabong cruise
  • Full day Arnhem Land escorted tour
  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
  • No surcharge guarantee
  • Full financial protection

This itinerary starts from £1,209 per person, based on 2 sharing a room in standard accommodation, and vehicle rental with GPS.

Prices may vary depending on departure date, or should you prefer alternative categories of accommodation or vehicle size. Please contact us for a detailed quote based on your preferred travel dates, vehicle category and style of accommodation, or to tailor this itinerary.

Meet our expert

worldwide team lauren shorney bw
One of our specialists
Meet Lauren

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Tailor made trips

As independent destination specialists, we are able to tailor make holidays to suit you, be that customising the itineraries shown on this website or creating something bespoke.

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Travelling sustainably

We believe travel is about finding the right balance between minimising our impact on the environment and broadening minds through new experiences and cultural interaction.

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